Zentai -- A Radical Fashion Statement

The practical use of a zentai suit is for a puppeteer, actor, or cosplayer to go about their work unnoticed. Literally, they are supposed to blend into the background. You know that nifty special effect in a movie that made you say "Gee wiz?" Done by a person in a Zentai suit who was later edited out by a computer.

Which is interesting because zentai is being used more and more as recreational clothing to lounge around in — especially in Japan. And not just as fetish wear either. Zentai suits are showing up in dance clubs, meditation studios, and shopping malls. A subculture is beginning to take shape around zentai.

For the most part, this has not yet touched the Wester world, but The Zentai Project is pioneering its recreational use.

We in The Zentai Project make occasional 'walkabouts' - trips with one or more people wearing zentai out in public places, and sometimes someone to take pictures. Walkabouts have happened all around the world, as you can see from the pictures in the gallery.

- The Zentai Project -

And I'm all for it. This is the perfect avenue to make a bold fashion statement but preserve one's anonymity. One can say the person attracted to zentai exhibits signs of attention whoredom. I disagree. The attention is on the suit and perhaps the body the suit is accentuating. There is no way, though, to identify the person inhabiting the suit.

Frankly, I find this kind of refreshing.

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High Heel Flippers

This one is for all those ladies who love to engage in snorkeling activities but want to keep their feminine mystique. Now swimming, in and of itself, is a very womanly actvity as shown by the numerous women who like to strut their stuff on the beach. That, and I also conclude this proclamation by saying that synchronized swimming must have been invented by a woman.

Unfortunately for many women, snorkeling may not be the most sexy of activities. When was the last time you've heard a woman say, "I think I'm going to accentuate my bikini with a fine pair of flippers"? I defy you to find one such woman — unless she is the widow of Jacques Cousteau.

Well, female snorkelers, fret no more. We have here a pair of flippers so womanly, you are bound to wear a ballroom gown into the ocean. And besides, of you are the kind of girl that swoons over the surfer boy, take heart. You will now be able to swim towards him in style.

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Necklace Made of Toenails

You may want to click on the image to get a better understanding of who contributed to this necklace. But let me say, this is gross. He's got a toenail from his daughter's first marathon. A good portion of these toenails are discoloured and shrivelled. I just can't imagine anyone wearing this on a daily basis. He did say this is "ceremonial", though.

Now, if this guy wants to earn extra points with me, he's got to sell this on eBay. He's sure to find a buyer. Hell, I'm sure someone would pay a pretty penny for this thing.

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Cowboy Hard Hat

As you realize, there's not a whole lot of variety or fashion in the world of hard hats. They are all the same shape, usually the same colour. This has to change.

This new stylish American classic cowboy hard hat will encourage workers to wear their hard hat even when they don't need to. The durable outer shell is constructed of high density polyethylene that resists penetration, deflects blows to the head from falling objects, reduces danger from exposure to low and high voltage electrical conductors, is slow burning and water resistant.

Vulcan Cowboy Hard Hat - Regular Suspension

Yes, but most importantly, it is a cowboy hat. Now the average construction worker can accessorize himself — without compromsing his safety. It will cow well with his pick-up truck. Or, if he's really intent on keeping up with the theme, he could ride his horse to work.

My friend Brian would love this.

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Shoes Made of Wire

I'll grant that it is neat. I'll even say that it is downright cool. But these wire shoes must wreak havoc on the feet. The only motivation to seriously wear these shoes would be masochism.

One would argue that high heels are masochistic already. This brings pain to a whole new level, though. Ouch.

Via Virtual Show Museum

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Suit Made Entirely of Dolls

What an impressive idea. I don't know how you get it on or off, or how you properly maintain it, but it's a nice suit. Not only is it imaginative, but it challenges one's thinking.

For instance, this activity of the suit's creation is a very man-like thing to do. It's the challenge of the hack, the beauty of doing something completely original. In truth, this suit is a conquest of sorts.

Yet, the basis of its creation is based upon a common childhood experience most men do not share: playing with dolls so as to "play" as a nurturer. Hence, there is rarely nostalgia here. We still understand the social significance, though.

In my opinion, there is a paternalistic quality to this suit's creation, but it is done so through the appreciation of the "hack".

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Give Me That Old Time Funk

This is a promo video of a band known as Eruption doing their song "I Can't Stand the Rain." And boy, does it have it all. It's got groove, fat basslines, and choreography.

Check out the style too. The guitar player has a sweat band, the bass player has a beard and afro combo, and those socks are doing wonders for the keyboardist. That singer is absolutely delicious in an early Grace Jones fashion. I wouldn't mind getting underneath her umbrella.

What a performance. I just can't get enough of it. Why aren't funk bands like this popular anymore? Because I'm telling you, I really have a hankering for some funk.

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Urban Camouflage Clothing

Absolutely amazing. All those folks wearing military camo gear have nothing compared to this. This is actual camouflage, the pedestrian really is blending in with the crosswalk. It actually takes effort to see him.

In real world circumstances, this isn't quite practical. I would go so far as to say it's an invitation to be road kill. So fashionistas, before you go out of your way to camoflouge yourselves, remember this: it's fun to see, not so fun to have your guts strewn all over the road.

Source: BulaPictures.com

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Flora and Fauna Fashion

I admit that this fashion theme is impractical and absolutely unwearable in the real world. It's the idea that matters, though. The colours are quite vibrant here, and the patterns inspiring. As this comes from nature, I feel it evokes a very natural brightness that gives me a sunny feeling.

Like I said, this fashion theme if primarily about ideas. I cannot imagine the average person putting butterflies on their eyes and lips. Moreover, the models look like they are being swallowed up by their clothes. It is rare that a model's utter ghastly thinless is overtaken by the clothes. Yes, this is quite an achievement.

As a piece of art, though, this is beautiful.

Anger-Inducing Fashion Statements

Do you like infuriating people for no damn reason? Are you the kind of person who takes joy in family arguments during Thanksgiving? Is there nothing more fun than upping someone's blood pressure towards dangerous levels? Then hop on over to Catirina Bonet Designs and buy that coat!

Rest assured, this is most definitely how people will not respond (nor will anyone mistake you for being famous):

I love to wear this coat!! If you ever wondered what it feels like to be famous—wear this coat! I wore it into a chic San Francisco department store and the store buyer chased me out on the side walk to find out “WHO” did my coat. I said, “Catirina Bonet in Los Angeles”. He said, “Oh yes! Catirina Bonet! I have loads of their stuff coming in for next season!” ha! ha! What could I say to that? True story. I have a witness.

ITEM - KNITTING PATTERN - Angelas Coat of Many Colors

Ah, the fashion world. There is no other intrepid industry like it. A place where beautiful faces canoodle with eccentric personalities and create such engaging art. Add to cart, as they say.

Ghetto Prom Pictures

It is undeniable that the ghetto has inspired some amazing fashions.  What is not so known is that, thankfully, much of their fashions does not make it out of the ghetto.  Byron Crawford has catalogued some of the more dubious trends to have made it to the prom.

My mom emailed these to me earlier today. Apparently, jigs in the ghetto have been wearing some rather outlandish-looking outfits to the prom. Some of them I had to resize so that they'd fit in my center column. In those cases, you'll want to click to enlarge. Actually, you probably won't want to.

Ghetto prom pictures

Sometimes, the urge to make a statement becomes an assault on the eyes.  While I am thankful of the innovations hip hop culture has introduced to the North American mainstream, I'm relieved that some of these innovations have stayed in the ghetto.  That goes for anything, though.